GLOBAL WARMING

Methane emitted by cattle’s digestive system, nitrous oxide from animal waste, and carbon dioxide account for 18 percent of the greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. The carbon dioxide is discharged by burning forests to create cattle pastures, by power plants that generate electricity to operate factory farms, slaughterhouses, and refrigeration equipment, and by farm machinery and trucks that transport animals and animal products.

Global warming threatens planetary survival through destruction of wildlife habitats, flooding of coastal communities, and extreme weather conditions. Melting glaciers deny habitats to polar bears, seals, sea lions, and penguins. The resulting rise in ocean levels will flood low-lying coastal communities like Manhattan, parts of Los Angeles, Miami, and New Orleans. Warming of the ocean surface intensifies hurricanes and droughts that cause extensive property damage and destroy food crops.

Switching to an environment-friendly, plant-based diet would defer substantially the onset of global warming and its disastrous consequences.

Another Form of Air Pollution

Wind erosion from animal croplands is the largest source of fine airborne particles, which irritate respiratory passages and make them more susceptible to respiratory infections. Factory farms and slaughterhouses produce a stench that poses a major nuisance to neighbors for miles around.

Switching to an environment-friendly, plant-based diet would prevent a number of respiratory infections.